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“This exceptional performance has been helped by our move to online only applications, which has reduced bureaucracy, allowing applications to be processed quickly and efficiently,” said the cabinet secretary.

“We are the only home nation to provide a 100% digital approach to these applications.”

The farming unions and agents had also played a significant role in facilitating successful applications, Mrs Griffiths acknowledged.

Union comment

Stephen James, NFU Cymru President said: “Today’s announcement that 90% of claims will be paid on the first day of the payment window is good news and will help farm businesses following a year when cash flow has been a major concern across all sectors.

"A return to making full payments, rather than part payments as was the case last year, alongside an improved exchange rate, up 16.5% on the 2015 rate, will be a boost not just for farmers but the thousands of rural businesses that rely heavily on farmers for much of their income.

“The improved exchange rate will help cushion the blow for the many farmers who will see their support payments fall as part of the transition from the previous historic basis of support to the new flat rate based BPS.

"This will be important given that farm incomes have been under immense pressure as a result of difficult market conditions over the past 18 months or so as highlighted by the forecasts for net farm income for ‘all farm types’ for the year to March 2016 down by 25% to £13,000.

“Following the Brexit vote it is also important to reiterate the uncertain times we are in, we know as a result of announcements from the UK Treasury and our Cabinet Secretary earlier this year that the BPS is guaranteed up to and including the 2019 scheme year.

"Whilst we welcome the clarity this gives us for the short term, our focus at NFU Cymru is now firmly on delivering a domestic agriculture policy for Welsh farmers post Brexit.”

“I would like to thank Welsh Government staff for their work in ensuring that 90% of farmers will receive their payment on the first day of the payment window.

"I hope that all efforts can now be concentrated on ensuring the remaining 10% will not have to wait too much longer, in particular I make a plea to both RPA and RPW to work together to ensure that our many hundreds of cross border farmers are not subject to delayed payments this year.”